Game #6 (2-4): Warriors 146, T’Wolves 105

So, are you encouraged by the Warriors’ blowout victory?
Despite the fact the Warriors spanked the T’wolves by historic proportions, all the talk was about Jackson. And not just because he played well.

NELLIE: “I hope his lawyer says something negative about me tomorrow. Must’ve turned him on. I could take that if he plays like that. I thought he set the tone for the game. Moved the ball and everybody else did as well. It was good.”

Jackson laughed when told of Nelson’s response.

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JACKSON: “That was all on my agent. I can’t take any blame for that. He was upset with some things and he spoke his mind. We work good together because we both speak our minds. But I would never bash coach in the paper like that. I never have. I’ve got a lot of respect for coach.”

I know the popular thing is to want Jax out as fast as possible, and for good reason. But the reality is, when he’s gone, whose going to be able to facilitate the offense? He hogs the ball. He slows the offense. He takes bad shots. But when he’s at his best, he’s a playmaker who can help you by spotting up, but taking advantage of a mismatch or by simply setting other guys up.
Who will fill that role when he’s gone?
The only other guy who can pass well is Curry, and he’s not enough of a threat on offense yet to be able to adjust his game based on the weakness of the defense.
If you take Jax out of the lineup, who do you put in that makes this thing work like it once did?

Some of you make think this is the media being negative (or is that label only plastered on local writers who reveal this stuff), but some players told my dude Marc Spears that they can’t wait for Jackson to be traded so their chemistry can start to heal.
Spears also wrote that the team is thinking it can trade Jackson in a few weeks, based on his sources. That would be a definite surprise. It sounds like they are lowering the bar on what they want in return. Maybe they are holding out for a sweetner somewhere that they expect to get in a few weeks (after Dec. 15, when recently signed free agents are able to be traded?).
Everything I’ve heard says that the Warriors are still being patient, waiting for a good offer. But, then again, I am not a member of mighty Yahoo!Sports. Those dudes are on it.

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MONDAY’S WIN BY THE NUMBERS

36 assists (that is now 65 in the two wins)22 steals (5 by Acie Law in the fourth quarter)57.1 FG% (and that is with a 10-for-24 effort in third quarter)77 The number of bench points the Warriors had, led by 23 from Randolph and 20 from Morrow15 Jackson’s assist total, which set a career high19 The number of shots it took for Azubuike to get 31 points12 Warriors turnovers. That’s it. Just 1210 Number of rebounds Ellis pulled, which was the most by any Warrior8 Number shots Jonny Flynn made and number of shots Stephen Curry took47 Points the Warriors scored off 28 Minnesota turnovers19:55 The amount of playing time Al Jefferson got, only five-plus after halftime

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Attendance below 16,000 last night (15,468). The Warriors averaged more than 18,000 last season.

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The Flynn-Curry showdown was won handily by Flynn. Curry is 0-for-2 against fellow heralded rookie point guards (if you count Tyreke Evans).
Of course, Flynn was much more aggressive offensively, taking a team-high 17 shots. Curry, as has been the case, sporadically looks for his shot, focusing on running the offense and passing. Flynn did have 6 TOs, compared to 2 by Curry.
Next up: Brandon Jennings on Saturday.
I still think Curry needs to look for his own offense more, though he doesn’t look confident when he shoots. A few times he’s driven to the basket and not even looked at the rim and wound up forcing passes. He’s much more of a weapon to the Warriors when teams have to stop him from scoring.

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Biedrins has Osteitis Pubis, which is inflammation of the muscles that attach Biedrins right groin to his abdominal muscles. In two weeks, on Nov. 23, just before the Warriors head to Dallas, he will be re-evaluated to see where he is.
That means for the near future, Mikki Moore is the starting center.

NELLIE: “Unless you know of somebody else I don’t know about.”

The Warriors won’t face any dominant big man on this road trip, except for Shaq in Cleveland. Roy Hibbert is sizable, but not dominant. David Lee could be a problem, but he’s a small center so the Warriors should be able to match-up well. Especially Randolph. Andrew Bogut is pretty good, but not scary. Kendrick Perkins is physical but he won’t take over a game (though Moore might have to guard KG and let Jackson defend Perkins. KG will hit that turnaround over Jax with his eyes closed).
It seems the big man tandem of Moore/Randolph should be able to at least compete on this road trip. If not, this could get disastrous.

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C.J. Watson got 13 points in 11 minutes. That dude can stroke it. You could tell he was going for his. I’m surprised he managed one assist.

Marcus Thompson

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Acie Law looks like he can actually play. Can they move him at any point, maybe pick up an energy guy or rebounder or something?

nabeil

i think it depends on how the warriors do on this roadtrip. If we do real well like say 3-2 or 4-1 jackson aint goin no where atleast not soon but if we end up having a disatrous roadtrip like say 1-4 or 0-5 even..he’ll be gone in a few weeks.

Acie Law. I had no idea dude had a burst of speed like that. Get him some more minutes. ‘Nuff said.

John Starks

And by the way; THANK YOU FOR REMOVING AL HARRINGTON FROM THE BANNER!!!! It’s about freakin’ time!

Longyear

Marcus makes a great point: if we move S-Jax, who takes over his play-making responsibilities? The team is full of people who either are blackholes with the ball or need to be set-up, but few facilitators. Where are we going to find a 6’9″+ forward who can rebound, hit long jumpers, and be willing to pass so as to allow ellis to slash, help curry run the offense, and randolph to play the 5 (nellie’s master plan…)?

Ws need help

Trade Jackson. There are more cons than pros for him being around. Other players will step up.

Burke

If we did manage to get Diaw, he passes as least as well as Jackson. Diaw and Mohammed for Jackson and Claxton? I think that would be good for both sides.

But then, by trading him to Charlotte, the W’s wouldn’t be showing the respect Jackson deserves considering how much he has done for this city. That’s got to be at the top of the W’s list of priorities.

Dub Fan

There is hope…maybe…on the other hand, it was the T-Wolves, who are, speaking of a lost team, wandering somewhere in the Sahara desert right now. As for the Dubs, well, even a blind squirrel can find some nuts on occasion. Let’s see if they can even play a competitive game (let alone win) against a decent team. I’m not convinced, but still it was fun to watch, if only for one night.

Wander7

@ Burke,

You still think Jackson deserves respect from the W’s after going about the way he did to get traded?

Jax must be traded; that is clear. But shouldn’t Nelson be fired before any real positive change can be envisioned and implemented. But then, of course, with Rowell in charge (in spite of Riley’s symbolic title) just who would we hire to replace him to set a new direction and tone? The degree of dysfunction runs so deep I feel pretty hopeless for the near future. Based on the recent (and sadly, past) decision making by the powers that be with the Dubs we can only assume that every future decision will be stupid, flawed, and do nothing but lead to more fan heartbreak.

I am blue.

Justafan

Until Cohan sells this is just one of the current problems to deal and there will be a next problem then the next ………. Jax Magg Nellie RR and Cohan all must go.. Please Larry E buy this train wreck and give us back NBA Basketball and the Bay area Fans will reward you as the best fans in the league But until………BOTCOTT

deano

Marcus: I think you are right that when the Warriors finally trade Jack, they will not end up getting a player as good as Jack — when he plays for the benefit of the team. The problem is that Jack is doing that now for the Warriors only as often as needs to remind the NBA that if he were on a team he respected, he would be great addition. GSW is in a tough spot, but one of their own making. Caveat Emptor, Robby.

Uh, “the only other guy who can pass well is Curry” indicates that you are typing during the game, as obviously that list also includes both Ellis (surprisingly) and Acie Law.

I think that Curry, Law and Ellis can share most of the minutes in the 1 and 2 positions, and Morrow can move up to 3 and between him and KA, we really can do without Jackson if we can otherwise get the 4 position filled by either Randolph or someone obtained in a trade for Jackson.

Also, evidently Turiaf is practicing and may be available later in the road trip, according to the TV announcers Monday.

PS Does anyone know the injury status of Devean George ? With the current deficit of players in the 4 and 5 positions, he would provide depth.

Wander7

What kind of injury does George have anyway? I didn’t even know he was injured.

Wander7

NM, strained knee supposedly.

Wander7

For the good of the team and the Bay Area basketball fans, I don’t want this team to win another game this season; gotta force Cohan’s hand.

HotCarlSundae

Fuck Monta we dont need him rebuild with curry randolph and beadrins he can go ride a mo ped off a cliff for all i care and take the retarded owner with him!